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Buena Vista Social Club

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Buena Vista Social Club (1999)

June. 04,1999
|
7.6
|
G
| Documentary Music
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In this fascinating Oscar-nominated documentary, American guitarist Ry Cooder brings together a group of legendary Cuban folk musicians (some in their 90s) to record a Grammy-winning CD in their native city of Havana. The result is a spectacular compilation of concert footage from the group's gigs in Amsterdam and New York City's famed Carnegie Hall, with director Wim Wenders capturing not only the music -- but also the musicians' life stories.

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CheerupSilver
1999/06/04

Very Cool!!!

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LouHomey
1999/06/05

From my favorite movies..

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Baseshment
1999/06/06

I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

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InformationRap
1999/06/07

This is one of the few movies I've ever seen where the whole audience broke into spontaneous, loud applause a third of the way in.

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SnoopyStyle
1999/06/08

In 1996, Ry Cooder and others assembled forgotten veteran Cuban musicians to form the Buena Vista Social Club. The original Club has long since gone. This movie has their recent performances. Individuals are interviewed about their struggles during tough times and their music.This is a time capsule in more than one way. It recalls the time when Cuba is starting to reach America. It's the hesitant start of a political thaw. The music itself is a throwback to an earlier time period. The musicians' stories are another throwback to another era. It can get repetitive as each musician gets his own section. The music is great. It's touching and funny when the men visit NYC for the first time. That is yet another time capsule as they look out onto the twin towers. This is a fine documentary.

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Martin Teller
1999/06/09

This is my first post-WINGS OF DESIRE Wenders movie, and despite all the hype around it at the time, my first experience with the music of the Buena Vista Social Club. The music itself is fantastic, featuring memorable and rich songs with accomplished musicianship and great passion. It was a pleasure to spend time with the players and learn a little bit (unfortunately, not a whole lot) about their lives and careers. However, the cinematography is simply awful. Undoubtedly there are limitations involved with filming in Cuba, but the use of early digital video cameras gives the movie a cheap, amateurish, washed-out look. It's very unpleasant to behold, especially with the shaky camera-work. It feels like it was all done rather haphazardly with little thought. You're probably better off just buying the CD.

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Robert_Woodward
1999/06/10

I was recently lucky enough to be dragged along to a one-off re-screening of Wim Wenders' film about the eponymous musical institution in Cuba. I say dragged since I had beforehand formed the opinion that there was not much to like in Cuban music, but I came away with a very different view.At the heart of the film is a simple structure whereby each member of the revived and reunited Cuban band are interviewed about their lives and the part that they play musically. The live performances that open the film are given an extended and exhilarating showing at the climax. This format is very successful in picking out the subtleties and stories behind each voice and instrument in the band and by the film's finale I found that I could hear more clearly and read much more into each part being performed. The layers of the film thus illuminate the layers in the music and before the film was through it struck me as truly awe-inspiring to hear so many virtuoso performances weaving in and out of the overall sound.The film is also startling for its then-innovative use of hand-held cameras to shoot footage of performances, recording sessions and interviews. The camera rarely feels like an intruder and some very amusing scenes are captured on film (the guys playing dominos was a favourite moment for me).Anyone with an interest in music needs to see this film.

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mstomaso
1999/06/11

It's hard to imagine a better set up for a magical documentary: Wim Wenders, Ry Cooder and a group of ancient and brilliant Cuban musicians. This film tells the story of the reassembling of the Buena Vista Social Club, as a sort of composite house-band including several popular Cuban jazz musicians, most of whom had given up their musical careers long ago. Ry Cooder helped get the players together, played with them, adding his respectfully subtle guitar work to the mix, and got their album released to popular and critical success worldwide.What I found most impressive about this film is the humility with which it was approached by Ry Cooder. Mr Cooder has done some great work in the world of music, and this must be counted among his triumphs. However, I would have to agree with Mr Cooder, that the credit for the magic of the Buena Vista Social Club was all in the chemistry and performance of its Cuban stars. To see what I mean by all of this, you should see the movie. Whether you buy the CD or see the movie first matters little. You should do BOTH.Wim Wenders also, intelligently and appropriately, lets this story tell itself. Only occasionally does his artistry (as potent as it is) flare up - such as the scenes with the pianist (who Wenders clearly adores, and understandably so). All in all, the American / German production team on this film takes a back seat to the music, and the stories behind the musicians. I found this a refreshingly honest documentary approach and I thoroughly enjoyed the film.My enjoyment rating is 10+. I gave the film an 9 because I am sure some will dislike either the music or the proactive approach toward Cuban/American relations. It's definitely not a film for all people. Don't watch it if Cuba brings up strong negative emotions for you.

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